“Israel is acting very much like a normal country in that it is acting much in its own interest, and its interest is not having the [Israeli military] take a posture where they have to consider the possibility of war with Egypt,” he said.

But while some of the most staunchly pro-Israel members of Congress say they understand Israel’s concerns, they are hopeful the Egypt crisis will end well for Israel and the U.S.

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“Unfortunately, Israel has been seared by the experience recently by seeing democracy elect their enemies – you’ve had voters in Gaza vote for Hamas, you’ve had voters in Lebanon vote for Hezbollah. So, when people say ‘democratic movements,’ it makes some in Israel nervous,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.).

“But, overall, it’s got to be seen as a good thing where you have a big Arab state having a tumultuous uprising where it’s not ‘death to Israel’ and President Obama being burned in effigy.”

“The US and Israel both have a comfort level with a pretty bad guy – the question is do you try to buy three or four more years with this guy or do you try go get to the front of this parade for democracy and reform as uncomfortable as it is?” Weiner asked.

“To the extent that some people in Israel may think that Mubarak’s going to stick around – that’s obviously not correct. The only question is how fast he goes, what succeeds him,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler, another New York Democrat. “Some people in Israel knowing that what succeeds him may not be nice may be trying to deny the reality.”

Still, even those cheering Mubarak’s departure are clear-eyed about the possibility that what comes after him may be worse for Israel. They seem willing to take that chance.

“Depending on how things evolve, there’s a very real possibility that the government that emerges will be less willing to cooperate with Israel on a number of practical measures [but] it’s not foreordained that they would undo the Israel-Egypt peace treaty,” said Robert Satloff of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who signed a declaration calling for free elections and an end to the decades-long state of emergency in Egypt.

Despite the vocal – and to Israelis, shocking – opposition to Mubarak in some quarters, some of those generally considered neoconservatives themselves are actually split on the question of whether it’s wise to encourage the demise of pro-Western Arab autocrats, several analysts said.

A former official at the pro-Israel group AIPAC, Steve Rosen, said the turmoil in Egypt has exposed a “debate going on beneath the surface” of the pro-Israel movement.

“The blunt reality is our alliances in the Arab world are with a thin strata of the ruling elite,” Rosen said. “We face mass movements in virtually every Muslim country that are profoundly hostile to the West and very uninterested in peace with Israel and many other things we’re interested in. When you start talking about democratization, you’re really unleashing these forces.”

Rosen says the optics of being against a shift toward democracy are poor, so those who view keeping the status quo as the wiser or more realistic course often keep quiet. “They are there, but they’re muted. It becomes hard to defend repression and say, ‘Go crack some heads.’ It’s hard to say ‘We want an undemocratic autocrat’ or ‘We don’t stand for freedom.’ The ‘freedom agenda’ is a compelling idea,” Rosen said. “It’s hard to defend Mubarak’s police.”

And indeed, while voices cheering Mubarak’s fall can be found across the political spectrum, the Israeli-style fears of the future can be found largely on the margins, and are more likely to be found in the old-line conservative – not neoconservative—foreign policy circles that sometimes clashed with the neocons inside the Bush Administration.

Americans believe in freedom and democracy EVERYWHERE, Bibi and Avigdor need to get with the program and instead of building settlements they can work on building "true peace" with the palestinians and their other neighbors.

Israelis can't wish other people live in bondage and misery just for the sake of "security", that is immoral and against the way of God.

Mr 'W" Bush is a neo-con... "There ought to be limits to freedom." George W. Bush

NEO-CON: a former liberal espousing political conservatism.

Israel has reason to worry with the leaderless America, just as much as with Egypt. Most do not understand this a spiritual war. But when you live by the flesh you will never understand.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle NOT against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This is the longest battle in man's History. But man seems to think they know it all, not even close!

I'm amazed at what God will show when we ask him. Remember the 6 day war with Egypt, that's how the treaty between Egypt and Israel came about.

There's a lot of History here, some which can be found in Ezekiel chapters 38 & chapter 39 !

God also said when he gathered Israel together in 1948, He said that generation shall not pass. That was 63 years ago. There's huge changes coming, it's not going to be good for America or the world in which we all live. As well as the kingdoms that go against Israel.

"But Brzezinski also said Mubarak deserves some degree of deference from the U.S., and suggested a scenario where Mubarak “ends up in some dignified fashion, which he deserves because of his cooperation with the United States..."

Just like a Palin story that attracts all the leftist xtian haters, a story with neocon in the heading will get all the leftist anti-semites out even though the article focuses on a split between the neoconservative and many in Israel.

I believe most in Israel would be glad to see any neighbor become more open and accept democratic reforms.....it is the uncertainty of it all that rightly worries them. They see Iran and how that came out after they rejected their dictator in the Shah and wonder if Jordon, Egypt, etc. will go the same way. Allowing the radical islamists power is worse than any moderate dictator who is willing to pursue a peaceful coexistance with Israel.

It is true....the US has little power there as events are being shaped in mob protests, the old political games of hired muscle and propaganda and of course, the radical Islamists are always there to start trouble....However, hope springs eternal and I am hopeful the majority of the Egyptian people will choose peace over violence and a true democracy will be established. With Iraq and Egypt, perhaps the region will be on course for good change.

Israel has a right to exist and take measures to insure its own security. Peaceful pursuits of realistic goals that insure the security are welcome.....Anything short of that will never promote peace.

Americans believe in freedom and democracy EVERYWHERE, Bibi and Avigdor need to get with the program and instead of building settlements they can work on building "true peace" with the palestinians and their other neighbors.

Israelis can't wish other people live in bondage and misery just for the sake of "security", that is immoral and against the way of God.

Ah, ignorance is so bliss. The only peace that will occur as far a Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran are concerned is Israel being wiped off the face of the EARTH. Is that the foreign policy you expect from them, want from them, or both?!?!

So this is all about Isreal. The US should revolve around Isreal? On what planet? Let innocent dissenting people be killed as long as isreal has Egypt keeping the treaty. Wow. How about this Isreal - YOU move out of the middle east. Perhaps to Alaska - plenty of land. After all you are surrounded by Muslims. This can't be a shock to you. The US can only go so far paying and defending you which you insists on having everything YOUR way. Time to re-think YOUR strategy. Americans will ALWAYS be on the side of Democracy. Period!

Many cheered when the Shah was deposed and we expected a new freedom and democratic process in Iran. Instead,we now face a theocracy that wants to destroy Israel and the West. Today,our president and the same cadre of Liberals want Mubarak gone...with no clear understanding of who or what will follow. I would rather have a damaged Mubarak or another Army strongman than the Muslim Brotherhood.To roll the dice and hope it all works out is insane,particularly with the awareness that the very existence of Israel is in play.

Using the same (il)logic, I researched in my own bible, and in Snooki's "a Shore Thing", she clearly and repeatedly shows that Egyptians like to party. Ergo, The Isrealis and Egytians should put on some gold jewelry, hit the tanning bed, and party like it's 1967.

I can't believe that ANYONE would consider listening, or caring, to what Eliot Abrams has to say about ANYTHING. Bill Kristol? When has he EVER been right?

John Bolton? Seriously?

Egypt is just his latest reason for us to attack Iran. Haven't we, as a country, learned anything from the mistakes of our past foreign policy?

Many cheered when the Shah was deposed and we expected a new freedom and democratic process in Iran. Instead,we now face a theocracy that wants to destroy Israel and the West. Today,our president and the same cadre of Liberals want Mubarak gone...with no clear understanding of who or what will follow. I would rather have a damaged Mubarak or another Army strongman than the Muslim Brotherhood.To roll the dice and hope it all works out is insane,particularly with the awareness that the very existence of Israel is in play.

since when do we put Isreal ABOVE American ideals. So we should sell our souls for Isreal? Not gonna happen. We have spent more money and lost more people over Isreal than I care to remember. Isreal refuses to budge and dismissed Obama's solution for them. Yet they expect us to see the world through THEIR eyes rather than our own. Take a look at the Flag that flies over this country - it is NOT the Isreali flag. Sorry. This is the United States of America and we have to look our for OUR priorities FIRST!

So this is all about Isreal. The US should revolve around Isreal? On what planet? Let innocent dissenting people be killed as long as isreal has Egypt keeping the treaty. Wow. How about this Isreal - YOU move out of the middle east. Perhaps to Alaska - plenty of land. After all you are surrounded by Muslims. This can't be a shock to you. The US can only go so far paying and defending you which you insists on having everything YOUR way. Time to re-think YOUR strategy. Americans will ALWAYS be on the side of Democracy. Period!

Spoken like a true Jew hater. You have a lot in common with most of the people that surround Israel. Just go away or die!. True democracy is a hard push in that region. We found that out when GW went in to Iraq to install democracy (which I am sure you were and are against). When you are dealing with a whole lot of evil, you have to chose what is best for your safety. This is a very complicated world and your simple ideas do not fit in the Middle East. That being said, I am certain that the people worried about the next leader in Egypt are not in favor of letting innocent dissenting people be slaughtered.

Ah, ignorance is so bliss. The only peace that will occur as far a Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran are concerned is Israel being wiped off the face of the EARTH. Is that the foreign policy you expect from them, want from them, or both?!?!

"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." Davy Crockett

Actually, I care more about America being wiped off the face of the earth. We have done MORE than enough for Isreal. How many Americans have to die for Isreal. How many Isrealis died in Iraq for Americans? NONE!